National Clothesline

Everyone thought the days of miracles had long since past. But let’s look at some of the recent history of the miracle of perchloroethylene and how the best solvent a drycleaner has had is now getting better!

With just a little personal investigation, you’ll find close to 90 percent of the plants in operation today are happy perc users. If you talk to those who sell all types of drycleaning equipment, they will tell you that 70 percent or more, of their sales are perc. The other 30 percent are split between hydrocarbon and some of the other available solvents.

Their preference is for perc and, because they sell both, it doesn’t take too much imagination to shout its praises of perc, and talk about its successful history.

Here’s why it’s your best choice.

It’s economical. The fourth and fifth generation of perc units have been yielding upward of 50,000 pounds of cleaning per drum! And smart operators speak of exceeding 70,000 pounds!

The micro processors will automatically inject detergent and sizing and even correct amounts of moth or water repellent or flame proofing. They can also prevent perc loss from small amounts of perc loss of water from lint traps or separators, all preprogrammed and functioning automatically.

It’s fast. There are multiple choices of wash cycles and rapid distillation. Dry cycles offer complete recovery of solvent with an efficient recording sensing device. This control prevents a load from being released before being thoroughly dried, regardless if that load contains a heavy comforter or a down coat with padding.

It’s completely flexible. The toughest mechanics’ overalls laden with grease and ground -in soil can be perfectly cleaned using the industrial method. This can be achieved with a low level of solvent, a strong alkaline detergent, gallons of water on a short wash, then dumped to the still, coupled with three tanks and rapid distillation.

The next load could be fragile gowns, and with a high solvent level on a gentle slow cycle and final rinse with sizing injection. All with rapid, several rinses and under a 30 minutes per cycle.

It’s odorless. These new units are stainless steel and perfectly sealed, including a protective base retaining tank. The sensing control will only release the load when it is perfectly dry and odorless.

It’s clean. We take this for granted. But perc is by for the best germicidal and bacteriostat. Any germs that could survive are easily destroyed by the high temperature of steam finishing.

Clothes are cleaned, finished, repaired and sealed in a dust free plastic bag ready for use and, most important, restored as new again with bright original color. Could anyone ask for anything better!

Now we come to a key point. What about the regulations and the criticisms of supposed pundits like Greenpeace? What have they found in the last 10 to 15 years?

We have to commend the engineering marvels that have made made perc so economical and practical that the price keeps going higher because the consumption and usage is but a fraction of the old price.

Some states have imposed a tax on each gallon sold and require delivery in sealed containers with a documented receipt. Cartridges or water from separators must be disposed by license waste operators only and confirmed by documentation. All this controls the sale and disposal and guarantees the safe handling of perc.

Can we say the same for the toxic material under our kitchen sink, which, I might add, are in the reach of children? If we want to point a finger and accuse perc of air pollution, then we have to put carbon monoxide at the top of the list and at least a half-dozen known carcinogens such as insecticides, asbestos and our newer contaminant, nuclear wastes, well ahead of perc.

We may hear of deaths from cancer that were caused by handling perc. I find it not so strange because I personally know of not a single person who met his demise from dealing with perc!

I speak from over 50 years experience, and I can add a few hundred more from among detergent, spotters, supply and equipment men and women who will say, with truth and sworn affidavit, that they, too, know of no one! They know of no individual who has succumbed to cancer because of perc.

What about our alternatives?

You must learn to investigate before you invest. You will learn that the other choices are more expensive, with more added burdens of longer cleaning cycles.

We are also confronted with the possibility of a new wave of restriction, be it contamination or flammability, and anything new or long term that the environmentalists have on their list.

Ray Colucci, a consultant to the fabric care industry, has revised and made available three timely pamphlets: “Up Front Is Where It Counts” for counter training; “Pressed for Perfection” for finishing techniques; the popular “Route to Success To the Home of Office” for complete route training. The pamphlets are $20 each or all three for $50. Immediate delivery with all postage paid is promised. Send requests and payment to to R. Colucci, 410 Warren Ave., Mamaroneck, NY 10543.